Old pictures show simpler Christmas toys for children

Christmas is just around the corner and parents are poised to spend hundreds of pounds on the newest must-have gadgets for their children. 

 But long before the age of the iPad, youngsters entertained themselves with the simplest of toys. 

These enchanting black and white pictures take us back to the 1900s when children were content with riding makeshift see-saws, hosting pretend tea parties and staging battles with bin lids and sticks.

Taken by a host of photographers, the snaps show carefree children playing with classic toys in their homes and on the streets in London and across the UK.

Researchers at the Mary Evans Picture Library recently uncovered a hidden file containing the heart-warming pictures.  

They show toys that were made with love and built to last – and there’s not a smartphone in sight.

Three boys play on a Balham street in South West London with a homemade bow and arrow and two dustbin lids in 1961. One of the little boys points a makeshift bow and arrow at his friends as they enjoy their fun game outdoors

Hands up! A young boy points a toy gun at his three friends who obligingly raise their hands to surrender in a charming snap from the early 1930s

Hands up! A young boy points a toy gun at his three friends who obligingly raise their hands to surrender in a charming snap from the early 1930s

Boys verses girls! Youngsters from the 1930s can be seen springing up and down on a wooden makeshift see-saw in a front garden on what appears to be a metal barrel. They hold onto each others shoulders and giggle with glee as one girl clutches a little brown and white dog

Boys verses girls! Youngsters from the 1930s can be seen springing up and down on a wooden makeshift see-saw in a front garden on what appears to be a metal barrel. They hold onto each others shoulders and giggle with glee as one girl clutches a little brown and white dog

One picture, taken on a street in Balham, South West London, shows one boy playing with a homemade bow and arrow, while his two friends use bin lids as shields and sticks as swords.

Other delightful snapshots show two girls riding hobby horses, a boy looking delighted with a very simple train set and a little girl happily pushing her dolly around in a pram in 1905.

Meanwhile a picture taken in September 1915 shows a young girl hosting a teddy bear’s picnic and it’s boys versus girls on a 1930’s makeshift see-saw.

The enchanting images are a stark contrast to the children of today, who are set to receive high tech laser games, mobile phones and pricey Hatchimals for Christmas this year. 

This young freckled boy kneels down in the grass to play with a spinning top at the Royal Show in Norwich in 1957. With the tiny toy box strewn on the floor he studies the contraption intently as he entertains himself in the grass

This young freckled boy kneels down in the grass to play with a spinning top at the Royal Show in Norwich in 1957. With the tiny toy box strewn on the floor he studies the contraption intently as he entertains himself in the grass

Nearly there! A boy throws himself into saving a goal during a game of street football on Brindley Road, London, in 1956. The impressive action shot shows the youngster pull a determined expression as he reaches for the ball on the grainy tarmac

Nearly there! A boy throws himself into saving a goal during a game of street football on Brindley Road, London, in 1956. The impressive action shot shows the youngster pull a determined expression as he reaches for the ball on the grainy tarmac

Car proud: An adorable two-year-old boy sponges down the bonnet of his Tri.Ang pedal car in the 1960s. The child scrubs the tiny motor, which even has its own mini numberplate, using a tiny bucket of water

Car proud: An adorable two-year-old boy sponges down the bonnet of his Tri.Ang pedal car in the 1960s. The child scrubs the tiny motor, which even has its own mini numberplate, using a tiny bucket of water

Christmas morning glee: A little boy sits on his new wooden horse with his teddy bear while a little girl with ribbons in her hair clutches her new toys in this snap from 1940

Christmas morning glee: A little boy sits on his new wooden horse with his teddy bear while a little girl with ribbons in her hair clutches her new toys in this snap from 1940

A mother lifts her daughter onto the table to admire the tree, beautifully decorated with candles and toys, in the 1930s. Her little son stands by the table in admiration beside a toy horse and carriage and a policeman riding a motorbike, while what looks like a porcelain doll perches on top 

A mother lifts her daughter onto the table to admire the tree, beautifully decorated with candles and toys, in the 1930s. Her little son stands by the table in admiration beside a toy horse and carriage and a policeman riding a motorbike, while what looks like a porcelain doll perches on top 

This snap from 1953 shows a little girl celebrating Christmas in London with two dolls as a white cuddly teddy perches by her feet

This snap from 1953 shows a little girl celebrating Christmas in London with two dolls as a white cuddly teddy perches by her feet

Three children pose for a picture while crammed into a rather complex and expensive looking toy car in 1910

Three children pose for a picture while crammed into a rather complex and expensive looking toy car in 1910

Astride his steed: This little boy sits on a tiny rocking horse with a whip in his hand in 1910

Astride his steed: This little boy sits on a tiny rocking horse with a whip in his hand in 1910

This little girl hosts her very own tea party - complete with three cuddly bears - in September 1915. She motions to pour the liquid into little cups while clutching a doll under her arm

This little girl hosts her very own tea party – complete with three cuddly bears – in September 1915. She motions to pour the liquid into little cups while clutching a doll under her arm

This youngster plays with a train set she got for Christmas in 1940

This youngster plays with a train set she got for Christmas in 1940

A little boy sits in front of the fireplace surrounded by toys and books, watched by his parents and grandfather, in the 1930s. He looks at his mother excitedly while playing with his new toy car

A little boy sits in front of the fireplace surrounded by toys and books, watched by his parents and grandfather, in the 1930s. He looks at his mother excitedly while playing with his new toy car

A little boy and girl sit underneath the Christmas tree with all their new toys in 1940. Among their loot are two dolls and what appears to be a mini cooking set

A little boy and girl sit underneath the Christmas tree with all their new toys in 1940. Among their loot are two dolls and what appears to be a mini cooking set



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk